Retribution

A principle stating that those who commit wrong acts must be punished. It is one of four sentencing philosophies in the criminal justice system. Retributivists assert that wrongful behavior warrants just deserts—that is, justly deserved punishment. Retribution is sometimes equated with vengeance or retaliation and is linked to the concept of lex talionis. The precept of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, seen as early as 1750 BCE in the Code of Hammurabi, is the first documented call for retribution. Retribution mandates that only those held responsible for their actions can, and must, be punished. Retribution is commonly cited as a fundamental reason for punishing criminal offenders, and it is often contrasted with rehabilitation.